Restaurants closed, coffee shops shut down and all entertainment activities are stopped, the world economy is suffering depression because of COVID-19 pandemic spread out by Coronavirus. People afraid to go outside lead to a significant decrease in consumption demand which directly effects the supply chain and forced many companies to cut off their workforce. This issue may leave many looking to file for unemployment insurance benefits to tide them over until the outbreak is over and work resumes.

      Moreover, increasing the unemployment rate means more competition. As a job seeker during the COVID-19 pandemic, what should you do to improve your recruit chance and looking for further opportunities? This article will give you some pieces of advice on how and where to find a suitable job during these difficult times.

I. Use Apps

One of the best apps I recommend for you is LinkedIn. LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with 300 million members in over 200 countries and territories around the globe. When you join LinkedIn, you get access to people, jobs, news, updates, and insights that help you be great at what you do.

We Recommend LinkedIn as a way to tap into your network. The majority of roles aren’t advertised and so connecting and staying in touch with people you know is valuable. LinkedIn is also increasingly a place where employers advertise roles and conduct local labour market/talent searches.

II. Optimize your social network

Most people think of social media as nothing more than social. Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms are just places to keep up with friends and discuss news. But social media is starting to serve a much different purpose now. According to Jobvite’s Job Seeker Nation study, 48% of people used social media to search for their most recent job. If you want to start benefiting from your social network for your job search, here are six ways to do it:

1. Let people know you’re looking

Social media is first and foremost a platform to have your voice heard. Use it as an opportunity to let people know you’re looking for a job. This simple gesture can go a long way for your job search. Letting people know you’re available might help you learn about job opportunities before they’re advertised.

2. Use Facebook Lists

Facebook lists are a way to build your social network beyond just your family and friends. You can add professional contacts without worrying about them seeing personal things you post.

3. Join industry conversations on Twitter

Twitter, in particular, is a great platform to start building a network of influencers in your industry. Find and follow people who work in your area so you can join in conversations and make yourself known.

4. Look professional in search

Have you ever Googled your name before? You might not like what comes up. “If your online footprint is a problem for your job search, then a LinkedIn profile will be the solution,” said social media agency CEO, Giovanbattista Cimmino. Associate your name with other social accounts as well so they rank in search.

5. Add your social profiles to your resume or website

Whether you have a personal website or just a physical resume, you should include links to your social profiles as part of your contact information. Having an active social presence can make you look appealing to potential employers in a lot of ways.

6. Follow the hashtags

Some businesses regularly advertise their job openings on Twitter. You don’t want to miss out on these opportunities. Luckily, it’s really easy to search for and follow popular job opening hashtags that employers use to find applicants. Here are a few popular ones:

     #JobSearch     #JobHunt     #NowHiring     #Hiring     #Resume     #JobOpening

     #TweetMyJobs

III. Spent more time with your resume

How long have you been updating your profile? Before you start looking for jobs and completing online job applications, you’ll need an updated version of your resume ready to upload. You may also need a cover letter to apply for some jobs.

Make sure your resume includes your current contact information and work history. Save your resume as yournameresume.doc, rather than with a generic file name like “resume.” This way, the hiring manager will connect you with the resume when they review it. Here’s how​ to name your resume and cover letter.

Have a basic cover letter ready that you can customize for each job you apply to. You should always include a cover letter when applying for a job unless the job listing specifically says not to. Some sites let you upload an existing resume from Microsoft Word on your computer with the click of a button. Sometimes you will be asked to convert the document to a PDF or other kind of file. On other sites, you may need to copy and paste your resume into an online profile or use a resume builder that is incorporated into the job application system.

IV. Find your career coach

A career coach provides advice on anything and everything related to your career, an in-house recruiter acquires talent for their organization, and an agency recruiter, which is also known as a headhunter, helps a multitude of companies find talent. So, when someone asks if you’re working with recruiters plural, it’s safe to say they’re referring to headhunters.

The best way to obtain an employer is to help them find you first. Working with a headhunter comes with a number of potential benefits. Most importantly, it provides a clear path to the hiring manager’s inbox. In addition, this person can give insight into what the company’s looking for, tips for a successful interview, and even advice on salary negotiation (though career coaches can do this, too). Most receive a commission, so the more money they get you, the more they’ll receive in turn.

If you are recently in Vietnam, you may find one of the best local headhunt agency is HeadhuntVietnam. With more than 10 years of professional experience in the mid-to-high-end personnel market as a senior and exclusive partner of many big brands both internal and international (Coca-Cola, 3M, Lazada, Masan Consumer …), Headhunt Vietnam would be the best coach for your career during this pandemic time.

I. Background

The rapid spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 has sparked alarm worldwide. On 12 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared this rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, and many countries are grappling with a rise in confirmed cases.

According to an initial assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on the global world of work by International World Labor (ILO), almost 25 million jobs could be lost worldwide as a result of COVID-19. Along with it is a series of consequences that lead to loss and recession for the global economy. Following these macro issues, the world economy witnessed a serious decline in various fields from consumer services to productions, especially for HR market. Dr Kouvelis of Washington University estimated that the impact of more than 300 billion dollars on the world’s supply chain can last up to two years after the COVID-19 pandemic happened.

II. An increase of unemployment rate

There are many reasons, depending on the specific of the demographic, political situation, and economic health of each country, the explanation is not the same. However, there are three main reasons that every enterprise are facing at the moment which leads to a shortage in the HR market:

1. The panic:

By the time this article was written (21 March 2020), the number of COVID-19 infections had reached 234,073 cases with 9,840 confirmed cases of death and has been spread over 177 countries around the world (WHO).

People are afraid to go to public area, clients afraid to meet consultants, consumers afraid to go shopping. Around the world, the wave of unethical acts such as racism, especially with Asian has risen as fast as the cases number of COVID-19. The anti-Asian wave or any racism acts is more dangerous than the pandemic for it destroys our humanity, connectivity and harmony with each other.

Carrying all these trepidations along with some authority’s policy of social distancing requirements has pushed many individuals to work at home or just simply quit their job to wait until the pandemic passed.

2. Industry specification:

      Over the world, many schools, institutes and universities (UK, America, etc.) has been closed because of COVID-19. This issue caused huge damage to countries which education export played an important role in economic. For example, Australia education export industry which distributed over $20.7 AUD (68.4% of total on-shore earnings in 2017) may suffer the loss of $2.8 AUD (over 10%) because of the restriction on Asian students, especially from mainland China. This has led to the loss in teaching hours and many job loss for employees who work for businesses which rely on schools operation such as canteen.

       Moreover, following government policies in some countries, the “social distancing requirements” has shut down many entertainment businesses which need to gather many people such as movie theatre, bars, social clubs, etc. This has pushed consumer services commerce to the biggest depression around the world which causes over 120,000 entertainment industry jobs have been lost due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic (Variety, 2020).

       3. Enterprises:

Beside objective reasons, the business itself is also one of the reasons causing a significant decline in the recruitment market. Faced with a serious global problem such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which never happened before, businesses are often puzzled on how to handle and respond to the rapid and complex changing of the situation. Furthermore, accompanied by false information from unofficial media sources which lead to confusion and frustrating even with senior managers and leaders. These issues leading to wrong decision making in policies and real-time reaction.  Which directly cause nervous for workers and infective in dealing with the circumstance.

III. What are solutions for brands?

The world is changing day by day, and only people who can adapt will survive. But where there is light, there must be shadow, where there is shadow there must be light. This COVID-19 pandemic will change the world economy order one and forever. Many developing countries can escape economic dependence from abroad by self-sufficient in production, medical and service. While developed countries can have chances to concentrate their financial resources to expand and develop domestic economy fields such as technology, infrastructure, customer service.

Based on 3 main reasons lead to the decline in recruitment demand and supply I have mentioned above, there are 3 basic ideas brands around the world can apply to solve this human resource global issue.

1. Change working methods

Change is hard, but it’s necessary for revolution. With the rapid development of technology, the world is smaller than ever. Recently, with significant improvement both in cost and effectivity of Virtual Reality technology and Internet connection, may brands should consider applying visual reality workplace for future office.

The Glimpse Group, an American virtual and augmented reality platform company that brings together entrepreneurs to develop the next generation of advanced simulations is launching its ambitious vision for future office. The Glimpse Group has invested in many projects. But above all else, its leaders say, it’s working toward a collaborative workplace simulation that could one day replace physical offices and eliminate commutes. This change can help companies retain their current staff, recruit more employees through a new hiring practice (virtual reality interview) and have a more efficient, safer working environment from a distance.

2. Reconstruction working policies

Many companies have applied for the “work from home” policy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. Meetings turn into online; tasks are given through ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) or team management apps such as Monday, Teamwork or Zoom for education. These acts would immediately limit contacting face to face but still guarantee work efficiency and help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In some business which forced to work face to face, companies can divide working time into shifts, apply digital thermometer test kit at the office. Moreover, this also an appropriate time for the internal marketing team to media staffs on company brand identity along with governmental health announcements, and public health protection process. The best marketing method is through word of mouth. When an enterprise has gained the trust and loyalty of employees, the mechanisms of recruiting or replacing personnel will be easily done through the workforce of the company itself.

3. Using third party agency

One of the most effective and cost-saving ways to find candidates during this pandemic is to use a third-party agency such as headhunter. With various relationships, professional staffs and plenty data system which been collected and accumulated for long times, headhunt agency would be the best choice for brands during this pandemic.

The concept of headhunting is no longer fresh on the market. However, to choose a competent and professional headhunt agency is what business should carefully consider before determining to contract in a long-term cooperation.

In Vietnam, Headhunt Vietnam (HHVN) is one of the top 5 best headhunt agencies on the market. With more than 10 years of professional experience in the mid-to-high-end personnel market as a senior and exclusive partner of many big brands both internal and international (Coca-Cola, 3M, Lazada, Masan Consumer …), Headhunt Vietnam would be the best solution for recruiter during and after COVID-19 pandemic.

In contrast, the crisis of Coronavirus will bring the world economy into a new era. The way we eat, travel, live daily will gradually change as well as working discipline and basic principle of recruitment in business firm. Welcome everybody a new chapter of the world which definitely is going to be great.